Day 2 Tuesday (April 3): Arrival DUS Airport and transfer to downtown Cologne (Köln). After check in free time until short transfer to a local church for a Mass of thanksgiving. Dinner at hotel

Day 3 Wednesday (April 4): City tour of Cologne with an inside visit of Cologne Cathedral and Shrine of the Three Magi. During the city walk more churches of the City of Cologne (St Martin; St. Severin; etc.) – mainly of roman style. Afternoon free for own activities like lunch and maybe a stroll through the old town Haymarket, Wood market, Old Market, etc. or just stroll along the riverbanks of Rhine river. Dinner in traditional Cologne Beerhall.

Day 4 Thursday (April 5): Depart hotel after breakfast for the City of Bonn, former capital of West Germany, with its baroque market square and old churches like Münster and Schwarzheindorf. Continue to Fulda with a lunchbreak in Limburg, seat of a bishopric, the former bishop was a bit infamous as he spent millions for his private mansion with gilded bathrooms and this was relieved by Pope Francis and sent to a cloister for repentance. The new bishop refused to stay in this place, which now is turned into a conference center. Arrival in Fulda late afternoon – check in to hotel and dinner in a old mill in the city center.

Day 5 Friday (April 6): Morning tour of Fulda including tomb of St. Boniface. Afternoon free to explore this town on your own. Dinner and overnight in Fulda.

Day 6 Saturday (April 7): After check out we leave Fulda towards Würzburg, The bishops residence, a masterpiece of baroque architecture is a must see and also the seat of the bishopric of Würzburg. The city dates back more than 1,300 years and was an important university town for centuries. After the visit of the Residence we also will see Kilians cathedral and have (optional) lunch in one of the taverns along the historic market square. Also, the City of Würzburg is the entry to the Romantic Road, a road, that connects many historic masterpieces of Bavaria. We then continue to Nördlinen, where we check in to hotel NH Klösterle or similar. Nördlingen is located in a circular valley, caused by a meteorite-impact and even the historic fully walled city from above seems to be a perfect circle. Tonight enjoy a city tour with the night watchman. Dinner and overnight.

Day 7 Sunday (April 8): Today we make an excursion to Nürnberg. Since the Middle Ages, Nürnberg was an artistic and cultural highlight of southern Germany. The famous artist Albrecht Dürer was born here and we will also see the gothic Church of our Lady (Frauenkirche) and St Elisabeth Church – built on the grounds of the first church of the knights of the German order. A visit to Nürnberg would not be complete if we did not highlight the Nazi-history of the city by visiting the Zeppelinfield and the Reichsparteitagsgelände. Pending confirmation, and time permitting, we will have a tour of the courtroom 600, where the Nazi trials have taken place. Return to Nördlingen for dinner and overnight.

Day 8 Monday (April 9): After breakfast we leave for the famous Castle Neuschwanstein home of former mad King Ludwig. Inside guided tour and time for lunch – thereafter, passing Oberammergau, home of the passion plays and the famous church of the meadow – a masterpiece of baroque architecture with hundreds of votive plaques thanking the Virgin Mary for her intercession. We continue on to Munich for Dinner and overnight.

Day 9 Tuesday (April 10): Morning tour of Munich with Old Town, Market Square, including Carillion and residence palace. There are many interesting churches to see, as well: the church of Our Lady and the Theatinerkirche. Free time for lunch and afterwards visit of Dachau memorial site. Overnight Munich.

Day 10 Wednesday (April 11): Excursion to Altötting with visit the famous chapel “Gnadenkapelle” destination of many pilgrimages and St. Ann Basilica. Afterward we continue to Marktl, birthplace of Josef Aloisius Ratzinger, who would become Pope Benedict XVI. We will visit inside the Pope-emeritus’ birthplace, with free time for lunch. We return to Munich, where tonight we visit the famous Hofbräuhaus for dinner.

Day 11 Thursday (April 12): Morning excursion to Freising, where we visit the cathedral. We will have the opportunity to have lunch, (included), in Weihenstephan Abbey in the middle of the forest, where Benedictine monks brew one of the best beers in the world (said to be the oldest, continuously-operating brewery in the world). Return to Munich with the remainer of the day free. Dinner and overnight.

NOTE: While no changes are anticipated, there may be occasions when certain alterations become necessary to this itinerary due to changes beyond our control. All Masses and locations subject to final confirmation.

Pilgrims may leave from ANY AIRPORT with additional cost of airfare, please contact Maggie if you are interested in this option. For additional information, questions, or to join us contact us at 419-290-8782 or maggie@CatholicFaithJourneys.com